"I've never seen him in better shape and he's available for selection which is a huge fillip for us," Howley said.

"It's a huge morale boost to have someone like George North available for us."

North, rated among the top finishers in world rugby, is set to increase the pressure on code-hopping Wallabies Test debutant Israel Folau in a difficult match-up.

But the Lions' delight in North's recovery is tempered by the fact that Welsh compatriot and fellow key back Jamie Roberts is in grave doubt for the first Test at Lang Park.

As expected, Roberts, who also suffered a hamstring injury against New South Wales last weekend, is set to watch the series-opener with Irish winger Tommy Bowe (broken hand) but both are in contention for the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday week.

Another three-quarter, Englishman Manu Tuilagi, is rated "touch and go" by Howley as his shoulder stinger problem steadily improves.

It means a midfield pairing of Welshman Jonathan Davies at number 12 and Irish great Brian O'Driscoll at outside centre is a virtual certainty.

Free trade is the oldest argument in federal politics and the issue that literally defined the federation era but opposition exists to the TPP, courtesy of the Investor-State Dispute Resolutions clause.